Pickup truck spare tire carrier

ABSTRACT

An underslung spare tire carrier for a pickup truck structurally designed and adapted to take the spare tire out of the box-type body and suspend it under the bed or bottom of the box where it can be conveniently unlatched and readily removed for use. No tools, special or otherwise, are needed. A yieldable rack cradles and clampingly stores the tire. This rack is hinged and the rearward end is freed when unlatched, swings down and unloads the tire at will.

United States Patent 9 Dumas [4 1 Mar. 21, 1972 541 PICKUP TRUCK SPARETIRE CARRIER 1,913,835 6/1933 Golikem, ..214/454 [72] Inventor: Hugh D.Dumas, Box 1121, Havre; Mont. FOREIGN PATENTS 0 APPLICATIONS 988,7125/1951 France ..214/454 [22] Filed: Dec. 19, 1969 Prima Examiner--GeraldM. Forlenza 21 A LN 8 6,456 I 1 0 8 Assistant Examiner-John MannixAttorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [52] US. Cl ..214/454[51] Int. Cl ..B62d 43/00 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 108/6;214/450, 451, 452, 453,

I 214/454 An underslung spare tire carrier for a p1ckup truckstructurally designed and adapted to take the spare me out of the 56]Reerences Cited box-type body and suspend it under the bed or bottom ofthe box where 1t can be conveniently unlatched and readily UNITED STATESPATENTS removed for use. No tools, special or otherwise, are needed. Ayieldable rack cradles and clampingly stores the tire. This rack3,494,493 2/1970 Fowler ..214/454 is hinged and the rearward end is f dwhen unlatched, 3,428,200 2/1969 Graves et a1. 2 swings down and unloadsthe tire at will. 2,679,961 6/1954 Brewer 214/454 2,936,918 5/1960 Vais..2l4/454 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAR 21 I972 SHEET 2 OF 2INVENTUK m Hugh 0. Dumas Fig 4 WW km,

PICKUP TRUCK SPARE TIRE CARRIER This invention relates toa heavyduty'spare tire carrier which lends itself to use on pickup trucks andcamper trailers and has to do with a type of carrier which has beenfound to be feasible and practical for satisfactory installationunderneath the bed or bottom of a box-type body and which has beendesigned for use with the usual rear bumper in mind.

Users and owners of pickup trucks are aware that spare tire carrierswhich are provided on present day pickups are in many instances situatedin the load space of the box and interfere with hauling campers,livestock, hay, grain, tools and the like. In other instances suchcarriers are attached in one manner or another under the box and areusually attached with the aid of a long threaded bolt and a wing nutwhich corrodes and rusts and makes it laborious and difficult to copewith and remove the tire when necessary. In either instance a problem isposed. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea tire carrier attachment the use of which has proved out to be anacceptable solution of the problem.

The carrier herein disclosed positions and holds the tireequipped-wheelfirmly up and with reliable certainty against the channel members of thechassis frame ahead of and virtually concealed by the bumper where itcan be unlatched from the locale of the bumper and discharged on thesurface without having to crawl under the pickup.

Briefly the carrier lends itself to ready and serviceable use on a wheelsupported chassis frame structure which is characterized, generallystated, by a horizontal frame, a rear bumper and transversely disposedlongitudinally spaced cross member which are embodied in the frameforwardly of the bumper and has coplanar bottom flanges. A box-type bodyis cooperatively mounted atop the frame and has a bed plate whichfunctions in a well-known manner. The carrier means for the spare tireis such in construction that it can be installed without resorting toother than minimal changes in the frame. It comprises a normallyhorizontal underslung rack in which the spare tire can be removablycradled and accessibly stored for ready use. Simple bolt and nut meansis mounted on one of the cross members and functions to adjustably andhingedly suspend a cooperating forward end of the rack and which permitsthe rack, when unlatched, to swing down to a rearwardly slantingunloading or loading position. The rack has a rearward end which isfreely swingable toward and from the bottom part of the rear bumper.Manually controllable means is carried by the bumper and is adapted toposition and retain the rack in its normal storing position.

Tire carriers broadly resembling the type herein disclosed are not, asis known, broadly new. This is to say, many and various types of truckand bus spare tire carriers have been patented. One underslung carrieris shown, for example, in the patent to Charles Wassenfallen, U.S. Pat.No. 1,672,356. While that carrier is designed for use on trucks it wasnot devised or perfected with the idea that it could be properlyinstalled on a chassis frame having a rear bumper of the type shown.

An object of the present invention is to provide a strong, lightweightspare tire carrier which can be operated from the rear face of thebumper. When the readily accessible fingeroperated latches are releasedthe carrier swings down to the ground and permits the tire equippedspare wheel to slide out in readiness for use. To the ends desired thespare wheel is not bolted or attached in any Way to the carrier rack orthe component parts of the chassis or truck frame. In fact, the tire issqueezed by the yieldable strap members of the rack and inherent tensionfunctions to clampingly hold the tire, that is, once the latches of thetoggle-type fasteners are secured in place.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a portion of the box-type body in section, therear bumper and transverse members. of the frame in section and theimproved spare tire carrier in elevation and illustrating how thetire'is racked and clampingly held.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the structure appearing in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the carrier removed from the truck.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective with parts in elevation and phantomlines and detailing one of the adapter brackets and the toggle-typefastener means and end portion of one of the strap members of the rack.

With reference first to FIGS. 1 and] 2 and more particularly to FIG. 1the box-type body of the pickup truck is denoted by the numeral 6, afragmentary portion of one side wall being denoted at 8 and the bottomor bed plate at 10. The frame of the over-all chassis frame structure(not detailed) embodies the aforementioned horizontally elongatedvertically disposed bumper 12 having a bottom flange 13 ahead of whichthe aforementioned transverse parallel longitudinally spaced framemembers 14 are arranged. The frame member to the right in FIG. 1 isdesignated and differentiated by the numeral 16 and it is thisparticular frame member which serves to hang and support the novelopenwork spare tire rack 18. The hanger means for the rack comprises apair of simple bolts 20 (FIG. 1) whose threaded shank portions 22 aremounted and adjustably retained by assembling nuts 24 and 26 on thehorizontal flange 28. It should be noted in this connection that all ofthe horizontal bottom flanges of the frame members 14 and 16 are in acommon plane above the plane of the aforementioned rear bumper flange13.

That part of the carrier which is designated as the rack 18'is made upof simple flat faced strap members; namely a pair of coplanarlongitudinal strap members 30 and transverse companion spaced parallelinterconnecting strap members 32. The forward end portions of thesestrap members 30 are bent up at an oblique angle as at 34 and terminatein horizontal end portions 36 having bolt holes 38 to accommodate theaforementioned anchor bolts 20. The construction is such that themembers 36 are detachable, adjustable and hinged.

The free rearward and terminal end portions of the longitudinal strapmembers 30 are denoted at 40 (FIG. 4), each member being provided with ahole which provides a keeper 42. The terminal portion 44 is providedwith a fixed transversely disposed dowel or the like 46 which is closeto and cooperates with the keeper hole 42.

The features 4046, inclusive, serve to accommodate the aforementionedtoggle-type fastening devices 48 (FIG. 4). Each device is properlypositioned and supported by an adapter bracket 50 comprising asubstantially rectangular plate 52 which is bolted or otherwise securedto the rear side of the rear bumper as denoted at 54 (FIG. 1). The lowerpart of the plate is provided with a pair of spaced parallel rearwardlyextending ears 56 having bearing holes 58 therein. One edge portion ofthe plate is provided with a suitable lug 60 having a hole 62 therein toaccommodate the shackle of an attachable and detachable padlock orequivalent safeguarding and fastening means denoted generally by thenumeral 64 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The toggle device comprises a yoke 68 havinga pair of spaced parallel arms or limbs 70 connected together at theirnormal upper ends as at 72. The lower end portions 74 of these arms arepositioned betweenthe ears 56 and are provided with integral outstandingstuds which constitute journals 76 and are rotatable in bearings 58. Oneof the arms is provided with a hole 62A (FIG. 4) which is aligned withan aforementioned hole 62 to accommodate the shackle of the padlock whenthe fastening devices are in the full line positions illustrated in thedrawings. In addition to the yoke 68 the toggle embodies a .l-shapedbolt 78 whose shank portion 80 is passed through a hole provided in acleat 82 which is arranged between the arms and is pivotally mounted asat 84 so that it is substantially self-levelling in operation. The upperthreaded end of the shank of the bolt is held in place by assembling andretaining nuts 86. The bill portion 88 at the lower end of the boltconstitutes a detent which is retentively cooperable with the dowel 46and the keeper hole 42 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

When the latch, that is the J-shaped bolt 78, is in its normal latchingposition it is retained within the confines of the yoke 48 by itsover-center positioning, see FIG. 1, and the yoke 48 may be locked inits corresponding position by the shackle of the padlock 64 or otherequivalent fastening means (not shown) in order to prevent unauthorizedremoval of the tire A. On the other hand by removing the padlock it isthen an easy matter to place the finger on the yoke and swing it out anddown to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4 and then finally to thedepending position shown in FIG. 1 in phantom lines. It follows thatwith this latch-equipped toggle-type overcenter fastening means mountedon the adapter bracket and with the adapter bracket bolted on thebumper, the strap members of the rack 18 can be held in the carrierposition illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Inasmuch as the strap members 30and 32 are resilient it will be evident that when the rack is properlyfastened and adjusted the tire A is responsively squeezed and securelyclamped between the rack and the bottom flanges on the frame members 14,as brought out in FIG.

l and therefore that tension is maintained on the over-center latchmeans to insure that the tire A will be supported in a secure fashionuntil such time as the yoke 48 is swung rearwardly and downwardly fromthe solid line position thereof illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

It is submitted that the manner in which the spare tire carrier isconstructed, mounted, and used will be evident from the specificationand views of the drawing. Accordingly, a more extended description isthought to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be restored to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

I. In combination, a vehicle chassis characterizedby frame structureembodying a frame, a rear bumper and longitudinally spaced transverselydisposed cross-members supported forwardly of said bumper and havingcoplanar bottom flanges, a box-type body having a bed plate supportedatop said frame, carrier means for a spare tire embodying a normallyhorizontally underslung rack, in which said spare tire can be removablycradled and accessibly stored for ready use, means mounted on one ofsaid cross-members hingedly suspending a forward end of said rack andpermitting the rack to assume a rearwardly downwardly slanting tireunloading position, said rack having a rearward end which is freelyswingable toward and from a bottom part of said rear bumper, andmanually controllable means carried by said bumper and adapted toposition and retain said rack in its normal racking and storingposition, each manually controllable means comprising an adapter bracketwhich is accessibly mounted on a rear surface of said bumper, atoggle-type fastener comprising a U-shaped yoke pivotally mounted onsaid bracket, and a J-shaped latch pivotally and adjustably mounted onand cooperable with the arms of said yoke.

2. A spare tire carrier comprising a rack embodying a pair of coplanarduplicate elongated strap members having forward ends which arelaterally bent, apertured and provided with nut equipped bolt meanswhereby said ends may be attached to and hung from a frame member, saidstrap members being provided with rear end portions, each end portionhaving an opening therein providing a keeper hole, said rack alsoembodying a pair of transverse longitudinally spaced strap membersjoined to and interconnecting median portions of the longitudinal strapmembers, and a fastening device for the rear end of each longitudinalstrap member, said fastening device comprising an adalpter bracket whichis adapted to be bolted on the rear vertica face of a pickup bumper,said bracket provided with a pair of ears, and a toggle-type fastenerembodying a yoke having arms with lower ends which are hingedly mountedbetween the respective ears.

3. The carrier defined in and according to claim 2 and wherein saidfastening device also embodies a .l-shaped bolt having a hooked billportion which is releasably engageable with said keeper hole and has athreaded shank portion, and a cleat pivotally mounted between the medianportions of the arms of said yoke, said cleat having a hole therein, theshank portion passing through said hole and being adjustably fastened tosaid cleat by complemental assembling and retaining nuts.

4. The carrier defined in and according to claim 3 and wherein saidadapter bracket has a median part of a plate portion provided with arearwardly extending lug, said lug having a hole therein normallyaligned with a complemental hole provided therefor in a cooperating oneof the arms of said yoke, said holes adapted to accommodate a padlock orthe like.

1. In combination, a vehicle chassis characterized by frame structureembodying a frame, a rear bumper and longitudinally spaced transverselydisposed cross-members supported forwardly of said bumper And havingcoplanar bottom flanges, a box-type body having a bed plate supportedatop said frame, carrier means for a spare tire embodying a normallyhorizontally underslung rack in which said spare tire can be removablycradled and accessibly stored for ready use, means mounted on one ofsaid cross-members hingedly suspending a forward end of said rack andpermitting the rack to assume a rearwardly downwardly slanting tireunloading position, said rack having a rearward end which is freelyswingable toward and from a bottom part of said rear bumper, andmanually controllable means carried by said bumper and adapted toposition and retain said rack in its normal racking and storingposition, each manually controllable means comprising an adapter bracketwhich is accessibly mounted on a rear surface of said bumper, atoggle-type fastener comprising a U-shaped yoke pivotally mounted onsaid bracket, and a J-shaped latch pivotally and adjustably mounted onand cooperable with the arms of said yoke.
 2. A spare tire carriercomprising a rack embodying a pair of coplanar duplicate elongated strapmembers having forward ends which are laterally bent, apertured andprovided with nut equipped bolt means whereby said ends may be attachedto and hung from a frame member, said strap members being provided withrear end portions, each end portion having an opening therein providinga keeper hole, said rack also embodying a pair of transverselongitudinally spaced strap members joined to and interconnecting medianportions of the longitudinal strap members, and a fastening device forthe rear end of each longitudinal strap member, said fastening devicecomprising an adapter bracket which is adapted to be bolted on the rearvertical face of a pickup bumper, said bracket provided with a pair ofears, and a toggle-type fastener embodying a yoke having arms with lowerends which are hingedly mounted between the respective ears.
 3. Thecarrier defined in and according to claim 2 and wherein said fasteningdevice also embodies a J-shaped bolt having a hooked bill portion whichis releasably engageable with said keeper hole and has a threaded shankportion, and a cleat pivotally mounted between the median portions ofthe arms of said yoke, said cleat having a hole therein, the shankportion passing through said hole and being adjustably fastened to saidcleat by complemental assembling and retaining nuts.
 4. The carrierdefined in and according to claim 3 and wherein said adapter bracket hasa median part of a plate portion provided with a rearwardly extendinglug, said lug having a hole therein normally aligned with a complementalhole provided therefor in a cooperating one of the arms of said yoke,said holes adapted to accommodate a padlock or the like.